Breakdown of Eine neue Brücke verbindet die beiden Ufer.
neu
new
die Brücke
the bridge
das Ufer
the shore / the bank
beide
both
verbinden
to link, to join
Questions & Answers about Eine neue Brücke verbindet die beiden Ufer.
Since we are learning about causative verbs formed with ver- + adjective + -en, does verbindet fit this pattern?
No, verbinden (to connect) is formed from the prefix ver- and the existing verb binden (to tie or bind). Unlike verbs such as vergrößern (to make bigger), which derive from adjectives, verbinden is built directly from a base verb. It is a helpful reminder that the ver- prefix has multiple functions in German!
Why use die beiden instead of die zwei here?
When referring to a specific, natural pair (like two sides of a river, two eyes, or two parents), German strongly prefers die beiden over die zwei. It acts as a common set phrase meaning 'the two' or 'both'.
Why doesn't Ufer have a plural ending like -n or -s here?
I usually see verbinden paired with the preposition mit. Why is it just followed by a direct object here?
If you connect item A to item B, you use mit (for example, Ich verbinde den Fernseher mit dem Internet). However, when the subject itself physically links two or more things together into a single pair or group, you can just treat that pair as a direct accusative object, as seen here with die beiden Ufer.
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